If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that’s both incredibly simple to prepare and irresistibly delicious, then the Easy Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake Recipe is about to become your new best friend. This vibrant, fruit-packed dessert brings together the sweet tanginess of pineapple, the rich depth of cherry pie filling, and the comforting, buttery crunch of cake mix topping—all baked together in one pan for fuss-free magic. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving something nostalgic and cozy, this recipe delivers a moist, flavorful treat with minimal effort and maximum smiles.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create this wonderful Easy Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake Recipe, you only need a handful of pantry staples that combine to give this dessert its signature taste and texture. Each ingredient plays a crucial role—from the juicy pineapple adding tropical sweetness, to the cake mix creating a crisp, golden crust that contrasts perfectly with the soften fruit.
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained: Adds juicy sweetness and moisture to keep the cake tender and fruity.
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling: Provides rich cherry flavor and a thick, luscious texture.
- 1 box yellow cake mix: The base for the crunchy yet fluffy topping that bakes golden and delicious.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted: Creates a buttery glaze that crisps the cake mix beautifully.
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional): Offers a lovely nutty crunch and adds texture contrast on top.
How to Make Easy Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Dish
Kick things off by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures a nice even heat for baking. While the oven warms, grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Layer the Pineapple
Start by spreading the crushed pineapple with its juice evenly across the bottom of the baking dish. This juicy base infuses the cake from below, keeping every bite moist and flavorful.
Step 3: Add the Cherry Pie Filling
Next, spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the pineapple layer. The cherries give a vibrant color and sweet-tart punch that balances the pineapple’s tropical sweetness.
Step 4: Sprinkle the Cake Mix
Now it’s time to sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix across the fruit layers, covering them completely. This dry cake mix will soak up fruit juices while baking and then form a golden, irresistible crust on top.
Step 5: Drizzle with Melted Butter
Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cake mix layer. This step is key—it helps the topping crisp up perfectly and delivers that rich, buttery flavor that makes this dump cake so comforting. If you love a bit of crunch, sprinkle the chopped walnuts on top now too.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Pop the dish in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbling with fragrant fruit juices. It’s like a warm hug in cake form when it’s done!
Step 7: Let It Cool Slightly Before Serving
Once baked, give your cake a few minutes to cool slightly. This lets the layers settle so you can scoop perfect servings without losing all the delicious juices.
How to Serve Easy Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
Garnishes
This cake is fantastic on its own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream takes it to another level of indulgence. Fresh mint leaves or a sprinkle of toasted coconut can also add a lovely pop of color and extra flavor contrast.
Side Dishes
Pair your dump cake dessert with a simple cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk to balance the sweetness. For a more festive occasion, sparkling water with lemon or a light dessert wine provides a refreshing complement.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this dump cake in individual ramekins for a charming single-serve presentation. You can also add layers to a trifle bowl by alternating with whipped cream or custard, creating a stunning layered dessert that’s perfect for parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This dump cake keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors continue to meld and develop overnight, making leftovers even tastier the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze this cake either baked or unbaked. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating or baking.
Reheating
To reheat, warm individual servings in the microwave for about 30 seconds or place the whole dish in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Serve warm with your favorite topping for a comforting treat.
FAQs
Can I use fresh fruit instead of canned pineapple and cherry pie filling?
While fresh fruit is delicious, canned pineapple and cherry pie filling provide the perfect syrupy consistency that helps keep the cake moist and flavorful. Using fresh fruit might require extra sugar and thickening agents to achieve the same texture.
Is it necessary to use yellow cake mix? Can I substitute other flavors?
Yellow cake mix works best because its mild sweetness balances the tart fruits, but you can experiment with white or butter cake mix for subtle variations. Chocolate or spice cake mixes may overpower the delicate fruit flavors.
Can I make this dump cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply swap the yellow cake mix for a gluten-free cake mix. Make sure to check all canned ingredients for any gluten-containing additives to keep the recipe safe.
What if I don’t like walnuts? Can I leave them out?
Definitely! The walnuts add a nice crunch and nutty flavor, but they are optional. You can omit them entirely or substitute with pecans, almonds, or even skip nuts if you prefer.
How do I know when the dump cake is done baking?
Look for a golden-brown crust on top with bubbling fruit juices around the edges. It should have set enough that the topping is crisp but fruit layers underneath remain juicy. A toothpick inserted into the cake topping should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
Final Thoughts
The Easy Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake Recipe is a total game-changer for quick, delicious desserts that feel like a warm hug from the inside. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself, there’s something so satisfying about combining a few simple ingredients to create a dessert with layers of vibrant flavors and textures. I hope this recipe inspires you to add a little sweetness and ease to your baking repertoire—it truly is a joyous treat every time.
Print
Easy Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 60-65 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake is a delicious and simple dessert that layers crushed pineapple and cherry pie filling with a yellow cake mix topping. Drizzled with melted butter and optionally sprinkled with walnuts, it bakes into a golden bubbly treat perfect for any occasion. Ready in just one hour and requiring minimal prep, this dump cake is a crowd-pleaser that pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
Fruit Layers
- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
Cake Topping
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the dump cake.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Layer Pineapple: Evenly spread the undrained crushed pineapple across the bottom of the baking dish to form the base fruit layer.
- Add Cherry Pie Filling: Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the pineapple layer, creating a vibrant and flavorful middle layer.
- Sprinkle Cake Mix: Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the fruit layers, completely covering them to create the cake topping base.
- Add Butter and Walnuts: Drizzle the melted unsalted butter evenly over the cake mix to moisten it. Optionally, sprinkle chopped walnuts on top for added texture and flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the dump cake to cool slightly before serving. For an extra-special dessert, enjoy warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Use undrained pineapple to keep the filling moist and flavorful.
- Chopped walnuts are optional but add a nice crunch.
- Check the cake starting at 45 minutes to avoid over-browning.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.
- This recipe can be doubled for larger gatherings by using two baking dishes.
